Cloudy Water!

[joelsaxton]

I think I know what I did, but I'd like to run it past you anyway. I am pretty sure it is CaCO3 precipitation.

I tested Mg and Ca on Saturday. They were about 900 and 280 mg/L respectively. I added some Mg and Ca supplement (see links below, I used 250g of Seachem Reef Calcium and 1kg of Seachem Mg supplement). I also upped my Ca reactor CO2 a little bit. I did this over the course of a weekend.

My tank and sump have about 250g of water total. I noticed the water became very cloudy to the point of being almost opaque. I tested Ca again but it was only up to about 320. My only guess is that I added the supplements too quickly. I saw this once before when I added kalk too quickly.

Here are the supplements I used. Over the course of 2 days, I used them completely:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produ...x=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&pc=1&N=2004&Nty=1

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produ...ll&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&N=2004&Nty=1

 

[Boomer]

Yes, I would agree that is to much at one time. It is more on the order of 4 different sup's at once.

Also, there is something very wrong with that Ca-reactor. It should keep up much more than that. Here is something on how to on reactors.

A Guide to Using Calcium Reactors
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-05/sh/feature/index.php

Calcium Reactor setup calculator (CaCO3/CO2 reactors)
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/reactor.html

 

[joelsaxton]

Boomer,

Thanks. I will look into this. Honestly, I never thought I'd need a Ca reactor, because I have no SPS, mostly just fish and rock. But my Ca levels were SO low with just kalk topoff I had to get one.

I had it set to a very low CO2 level because it once put the Ca to over 600 ppm. I just used these supplements to get the Ca/Mg back to normal levels, then turn up the Ca reactor just a little to keep it normal.

Maybe some day there will be a way to regulate Ca/Mg levels automatically.. I actually tried one of those pinpoint Ca monitors but it did not work that consistently.

Well, thanks.


Joel

 

[joelsaxton]

I also had an idea that if I skim wet enough, maybe using all kalk topoff will provide enough Ca by itself.

Haven't tried it out yet.

 

[Billybeau1]

Seachems reef calcium is not a good choice to make large corrections to calcium. Its not very concentrated and will take a lot to get you where you want to be. For large corrections, Seachems Reef Complete, Turbo Calcium or ESV are better choices.

On the mag, it takes a lot to raise magnesium from 900 to 1300. I mean alot.

Use this calculator and limit your magnesium increases to no more than 100 ppm per day.

http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html

 

[Billybeau1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7804955#post7804955 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by joelsaxton
I also had an idea that if I skim wet enough, maybe using all kalk topoff will provide enough Ca by itself.

Haven't tried it out yet.

Depending on your calcium consumption it may or may not be enough. Many people that dose kalk still have to suppliment calcium and alkalinity on occasion.

Dripping kalk is a good idea if your pH is a little on the low side.

 

[joelsaxton]

thanks for the link.

 

[Boomer]

Billy

Seachems reef calcium

I was going to say that but figured I needed to give them a break from my other posts So, I left it up to your or Jon :lol:

 

[Billybeau1]

Well I did plug the Reef Complete

Thats what I use.

I believe there are two levels of calcium suppliment. One to maintain, and one to raise. Consumers need to know the differance, dont ya think?